Audio Advice Live is happening this weekend in Raleigh, North Carolina, and one of the first new product introductions on Friday from Harman Luxury Audio Group was their new JBL L42ms Integrated Music System.
Building on the foundation of JBL’s L75ms Integrated Music System that was introduced in 2021, the L42ms Integrated Music system is a more modest version that’s reduced by 7-inches across. Although both speakers maintain the same look when the waffle grille is on, there are some differences that help the L42ms shave $500 off the price.
Tip: The curved front design supports a wider soundfield. However, this speaker is not a soundbar.
Speakers and Amplifiers
The L42ms incorporates a 4-driver speaker design with dual 4-inch woofers and dual .75-inch Aluminum tweeters. The frequency response of the speaker system is stated by JBL to be 55 Hz to 25 kHz (-6 dB).
The speakers are supported by separate amplifiers for the woofers (75 watts RMS per woofer) and tweeters (25 watts RMS per tweeter).
Music Playback System
The music playback system features include:
- 24-bit/96kHz high-resolution DAC (Digital-to-Analog Converter)
- Google Chromecast Built-in.
- Apple AirPlay 2.
- Bluetooth (ver 4.2)
- RCA Line and 3.5 mm analog audio input options.
- Subwoofer output
- Internet connectivity via Ethernet or Wi-Fi.
- The L42ms also provides an HDMI-ARC connection. If used with an HDMI-ARC-equipped TV, this allows you to boost your TV sound.
Tip: If you want to connect a turntable, the turntable needs to have a built-in phono preamp or you need to place an external preamp between the turntable and the L42ms via its RCA line inputs.
In addition to traditional volume and bass/treble control, there is a built-in selectable Soundfield Expander (SFX) and a Bass Contour On/Off setting.
The L42ms features built-in access to Spotify Connect and Tidal Connect streaming services.
Users can also access music on compatible UPnP network storage devices on a local network or a USB drive connected via the USB-A input on the back of the L42ms.
The free JBL Premium Audio App provides an easy connection to a Wi-Fi network. After setup, the app makes additional streaming audio services available including Amazon Music and Qobuz, plus it provides access to internet radio and podcasts.
The L42ms can be controlled by the JBL Premium Audio app or the provided Bluetooth hand-held remote. Input selection and volume controls are also provided on the top panel of the system.
Two Bonus Features
Roon Ready: This allows users to access their library of music at the highest possible resolutions supported by the L42ms.
Works with Smart Things: This integrates the L42ms into the Smart Things ecosystem, which includes over a billion Galaxy devices and Samsung televisions and appliances for one-touch operation and functionality. (Additional Smart Things hardware is required.)
Comparison
| L42ms | L75ms | |
| MSRP | $999.99 | $1,500 |
| Type | Compact Integrated Music System | Streaming tabletop loudspeaker system |
| Low Frequency Drivers | Dual 4-inch (100mm) Pure Pulp white cone woofers | Dual 5.25″ (133mm) Pure Pulp cone woofers |
| High Frequency Drivers | Dual 0.75-inch (20mm) Aluminum dome tweeters with waveguides | Dual 1″ (25mm) Aluminum dome tweeters with waveguides |
| Midrange Driver | – | 4″ (100mm) Pure pulp cone midrange |
| Amplifier Power | 75W RMS per woofer | 125W RMS per woofer |
| 25W RMS per tweeter | 25W RMS per tweeter | |
| – | 50W RMS for center | |
| Sound Controls | Speaker placement compensation, selectable sound-field expander | Speaker placement compensation, selectable sound-field expander |
| Wireless Inputs | WiFi streaming, Bluetooth 4.2 | WiFi streaming, Bluetooth 4.2 |
| Wired Inputs | Ethernet | Ethernet |
| HDMI-ARC | HDMI-ARC | |
| – | Phono (MM) | |
| Line in (RCA) | – | |
| 3.5mm | 3.5mm | |
| Resolution | Up to 24-bit, 96kHz | Up to 32-bit, 192kHz |
| Frequency Response | 55Hz – 25kHz (-6dB) | 45Hz – 25kHz (-6dB) |
| Maximum SPL | 102dB @ 1m | 106dB @ 1m |
| Subwoofer Output | Autosensing w/ Auto-engage of 80Hz High Pass Filter | 2V RMS with auto-sense/engage HPF |
| Enclosure | Front-ported tabletop in satin walnut furniture-grade wood veneer | Front-ported tabletop in satin walnut furniture-grade wood veneer |
| Grille | Black foam Quadrex grille | Black foam Quadrex grille |
| Dimensions with grille (HxWxD) | 6.4″ x 24.3″ x 9.2″ (162mm x 617mm x 234mm) | 8.5″ x 31.1″ x 11.3″ (216mm x 790mm x 287mm) |
| Remote Control Type | BTLE | BTLE |
| Product Weight (Each) | 26.3 lbs. (11.9kg) | 35 lbs. (15.9kg) |
| Shipping Weight | 34.3 lbs (15.6 kg) | 44 lbs. (20.0kg) |
| Warranty | 5 Years | 5 Years |
Availability and Pricing
More information is available on the Official JBL L42ms Product Page. The 42ms will become available in the fall of 2023 (in time for the Holidays) for $999.99.
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